Share James Carl Olinger's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
In Memory Of
James Carl Olinger
1930
2016
James Carl Olinger
January 18, 1930 — May 30, 2016
Listen to Obituary
Longtime horticulturist James Carl Olinger, whose family first arrived in Colorado in the early 1900s, died on Memorial Day at Lemay Avenue Health & Rehabilitation in Fort Collins, CO. Olinger was with his family at the time of his passing. He was 86.
Jim Olinger was born to John Carl and Beatrice Elizabeth Homrighouse Olinger on January 18, 1930, in Canton, OH, the second of two children. In 1948 Jim graduated from Louisville (Ohio) High School, where he played football. Hard work defined Jim, who once described U.S. Army boot camp as a vacation. Jim, an expert marksman in the U.S. Army Infantry during the Korean Conflict, entered Ohio University on the GI Bill and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. While at OU, Jim joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, of which he was a life-long supporter.
For 56 years Jim was a member of Juilliard Lodge No. 460 of the Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio and the Scottish Rite and Order of the Eastern Star. Jim, referred to as "Dad Olinger" by members of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, served as a chapter advisor in the 1970s. He is remembered by young people from that time as a kind man.
In 2000 Jim "retired" from work as a golf course superintendent, relocated to Boulder County, Colorado, and began work, once again, in golf course maintenance. His enthusiasm for the American West led him to volunteer for a bull riding and training outfit in Lyons, CO, where he also attended church and fly-fished Colorado's rivers.
Jim Olinger is survived by his sister, Elizabeth A. Ewing of West Chester, OH; daughter, Heidi A. Olinger of Fort Collins, CO; step-daughters Marsha Ause of Anthem, AZ, and Mischelle Rufener of Bolivar, OH; niece Merry Ewing, also of West Chester, and three step-grandchildren.
The Lyons Community Church, Lyons, CO, will hold a memorial service Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m. Reverend Emily Flemming will lead the service. Contributions in Jim's honor may be made to the Lyons Community Church. Please visit bohlenderfuneralchapel.com to send the family online condolences.
Jim Olinger was born to John Carl and Beatrice Elizabeth Homrighouse Olinger on January 18, 1930, in Canton, OH, the second of two children. In 1948 Jim graduated from Louisville (Ohio) High School, where he played football. Hard work defined Jim, who once described U.S. Army boot camp as a vacation. Jim, an expert marksman in the U.S. Army Infantry during the Korean Conflict, entered Ohio University on the GI Bill and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. While at OU, Jim joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, of which he was a life-long supporter.
For 56 years Jim was a member of Juilliard Lodge No. 460 of the Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio and the Scottish Rite and Order of the Eastern Star. Jim, referred to as "Dad Olinger" by members of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, served as a chapter advisor in the 1970s. He is remembered by young people from that time as a kind man.
In 2000 Jim "retired" from work as a golf course superintendent, relocated to Boulder County, Colorado, and began work, once again, in golf course maintenance. His enthusiasm for the American West led him to volunteer for a bull riding and training outfit in Lyons, CO, where he also attended church and fly-fished Colorado's rivers.
Jim Olinger is survived by his sister, Elizabeth A. Ewing of West Chester, OH; daughter, Heidi A. Olinger of Fort Collins, CO; step-daughters Marsha Ause of Anthem, AZ, and Mischelle Rufener of Bolivar, OH; niece Merry Ewing, also of West Chester, and three step-grandchildren.
The Lyons Community Church, Lyons, CO, will hold a memorial service Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m. Reverend Emily Flemming will lead the service. Contributions in Jim's honor may be made to the Lyons Community Church. Please visit bohlenderfuneralchapel.com to send the family online condolences.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 2
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors